Abstract
The Alpine region is exposed to two major challenges in terms of sustainable agriculture: 1) topographical conditions constrain the area, which can be used for agricultural production and 2) the Alps have suffered a dramatic loss of biodiversity in the last few decades. This loss is to great extent caused by a) intensified use of agricultural land in high-yielding areas (e. g. excessive nitrogen depositions) and b) abandonment of agricultural areas with low productivity. In the near future, these challenges are expected to amplify, as the Alpine region will have to contribute to a growing global food demand. In order to find anchor points which help to tackle these challenges a qualitative system analysis was conducted to identify and analyse the variables which influence agricultural land use in Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Results suggest that our Alpine land use system exerts an enormous pressure on the level of certain variables. If current trends of land use continue to maintain, the level of the variables “ecological quality of agricultural areas” and “attractiveness of landscapes” will most likely decline. Contrarily, the level of “land use intensity on arable land and grassland” will increase further. This shows an imminent need to substantially change land use especially if we seek for long-term food security and conservation of natural resources. Keywords: land use, food production, ecosystem services, Alpine region, qualitative system analysis
Highlights
Soil is the most sensitive and valuable natural capital of mankind (Haber and Bückmann, 2013: 1 ff.)
In order to contribute to increasing food demand, the Alpine region is exposed to two major challenges
Experts from Austria and Switzerland reviewed these variables and determined relations and levels to which these variables impact each other in a workshop. These variables and their interrelationships were analyzed with the software SystemQ. Within this analysis it has been assessed a) the level of pressure that the system exerts on the variables under the assumption that “business as usual” land use will continue to maintain in the Alpine Region and b) the potential of variables qualifying as a suitable starting point for policy measures targeting sustainability objectives
Summary
Soil is the most sensitive and valuable natural capital of mankind (Haber and Bückmann, 2013: 1 ff.). It is a scarce resource and the basis for growing food. In order to contribute to increasing food demand, the Alpine region is exposed to two major challenges. Topographical conditions in the Alps constrain areas, which can be used for agricultural production (Stöcklin et al 2007, 33-35). The Alps have already suffered a dramatic loss of biodiversity (BAFU 2015, 59). This loss is to great extent caused by a) intensified use of agricultural soils in high-yielding areas In times of a global population growth related to increasing food demand and a changing climate, it is more than ever important to preserve ecosystem services especially those in ecologically fragile zones
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